Rein-catching device.



N T FOGG REIN UATGHING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12; 1903.

Patented N0v.'10, 1908.

wewaarj WMW- NEWELL T. FOGG, OF SANFORD, MAINE.

BEIN-CATCHING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 10, 1908.

Application filed. June 12, 1908. Serial No. 438,144.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NEwELL T. Form, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Sanford, county of York, State of Maine, have invented an Improvement in Rein- Catching Devices, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like letters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention has for its object the production of a simple and convenient device whereby the driver of a vehicle may recover or catch the reins should they accidentally drop from the hand out of ordinary reach.

Sometimes the sudden movement of a horse will pull the reins from the drivers grasp, and sometimes through carelessness the driver may let them fall, and unless they can be quickly recovered there is great danger of accident from the uncontrolled horse.

In accordance with my present invention I have provided a simple attachment for the whip by means of which the driver can instantly and easily recover the reins, the said device being arranged to fit onto the whip-v stock or handle and normally it lies against it out of the way.

hen the device is to 'be used a finger forming part of it is swung outward to form a species of hook, and by reversing the whip this hook can be caught in the reins and the latter drawn back up into the hand.

The novel features of my invention will be fully described in the subjoined specification and particularly pointed out in the following claims.

Figure 1 is a view inelevation of the reins catcher embodying my invention applied to the stock of a whip and in normal position relatively thereto, the dotted line position of the finger of the catcher showing it in readiness for use; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the reins catcher; Fig. 3 is an inner side View of the finger, detached from the clip or holder on which it is mounted; Fig. 4 is a view of the clip or holder, showing the means thereon by which the finger is held in operative position.

In the present embodiment of my invention I provide a substantiallycylindrical, resilient metal clip or holder 1, shown in Fig. 2 as split or slotted longitudinally at one sid at 2, to permit it to expand when forced down onto the stock or handle 3, Fig.

1, so that it will tightly grip the same and be retained in position thereon. a

Opposite the slot the clip is provided with a flattened external face 4, onto which is pivotally mounted at 5 the flattened base 6 of an elongated linger 7, preferably tapered as shown and concaved on its inner face to lie close against the whip handle under normal conditions, see full lines Fig. 1, and eX- tended toward the tip of the whip. As therein shown the reins catcher will not interfere with the use of the whip nor with its insertion into the usual socket at the side of the dash-board or seat.

I have provided cooperating means on the clip and finger to normally retain the latter in the normal position, and herein said means consist of a conical seat 8 in the face 4 of the clip, to receive a projection 9 on the adjacent face of the finger base. This projection can be readily made by striking the metal of the finger base with a punch or other suitable tool, the natural resiliency of the metal of which the finger is made acting to keep the projection in the seat unless positively withdrawn therefrom.

Referring to Fig. 1, supposing the device to be in place on the whip and in its normal position shown by full lines, should it be necessary for the driver to recover or catch the reins he swings the finger 7 laterally on its pivot 5 into dotted line position, this movement being effected by the hands instantly and easily. The whip handle now has a hook-like extension thereon at an acute angle thereto, and by reversing the whip the driver can reach forward and hook the finger into the reins at the terrets on the saddle of the harness, or he can pick them up from the ground if more convenient.

After the reins are recovered the finger is re-' turned to its normal position out of the way.

It will be evident that the operative positioning of the finger can be effected easily and in an instant, so that no time is lost, and even should the horse be in motion or should suddenly start the driver will have the reins in hand before any damage can be done.

To stop the finger in its operative position I have provided the face 4 of the clip with a segmental slot 10, Fig. 4, adjacent to and concentric with the pivot 5, said slot being entered by a stop lug 11 inturned from the base of the finger, said lug bringing up against the inner end of the slot when the finger is moved outward at an angle to the handle of the whip.

The device is simple, eflicient and cheap to construct, it can be applied to a whip in a moment, and when not in use it presents no obstacle to the free handling of the whip.

Changes or modifications in details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims. 7

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A reins catcher comprising a clip adapted to be attached to the handle of a whip, a finger pivotally mounted on the clip and having its free end toward the tip of the whip, said finger being movable laterally to form a hook-like extension of the whip, and means to limit its movement into such position.

2. A reins catcher comprising a body adapted to be frictionally held on the handle of a whip, a catching member carried by the body and movable thereon into inoperative position adjacent the whip-handle, or laterally at an acute angle thereto to form a hook therewith, a device to stop the lateral move- I ment of said member when in operative position, and means to normally retain said member adjacent the handle.

.3. A device of the class described, comprising a spring clip adapted to be detachably mounted on the handle of a whip, a finger pivoted at its lower end on the clip and movable thereon into substantial parallelism with the handle or to form a hook-like extension thereof, and means to stop the finger when movedinto position to form such extension. 7

4:. A device of the class described, comprising a spring clip adapted to be detachably mounted on the handle of a whip, a finger pivoted at its lower end on the clip and movable thereon into substantial parallelism with the handle or to form a hook-like extension thereof, and means to limit angular movement of the finger when moved from one to the other position, and vice versa.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. I

NEWELL T. FOGG.

Witnesses MYRON E. BENNETT, THOMAS T. RANKIN. 

